Drone footage near Pine Point Beach in Scarborough, Maine, recorded up to seven great white sharks feeding close to shore on Aug. 4–5. Authorities said baitfish and seals likely drew the sharks and that no aggressive encounters were reported. Researchers link increased sightings to warmer Gulf of Maine waters and a recovering seal population, and officials urged swimmers to use lifeguarded beaches and exit the water immediately if a shark is spotted.
Drone Captures Up to Seven Great White Sharks Feeding Near Pine Point Beach, Maine
Photo Credit: iStock
Drone footage near Pine Point Beach in Scarborough, Maine, captured as many as seven great white sharks feeding in waters close to the shoreline on Aug. 4–5.
Authorities and eyewitnesses say baitfish and seals likely attracted the sharks. Scarborough Police and the Bangor Daily News reported two sharks on Aug. 4 and a later drone observation of five to seven sharks on Aug. 5. Officials stressed there have been no reports of aggressive interactions with swimmers or boaters linked to these sightings.
While great whites do reach Maine waters, the state lies at the far northern edge of their usual range, so sightings remain relatively uncommon. Reported appearances typically span May through December, with the busiest period from July to September.
Context and causes: Researchers point to a warming Gulf of Maine and a recovering seal population as likely reasons for increased overlap between large predators and recreational users along New England coasts. These environmental shifts affect prey distribution and can make encounters more likely — but they do not mean sharks are targeting people.
Safety advice: Beachgoers were urged to stay close to shore, swim at lifeguarded beaches, avoid going into the water alone, follow lifeguard directions, and exit the water immediately if a shark is sighted. Staying nearer the shore and using monitored beaches can reduce risk.
Technology and response: The drone footage highlights how modern monitoring tools — drones, timely lifeguard alerts and public warnings — can give communities faster, less intrusive ways to respond to shark activity while allowing marine wildlife to remain undisturbed.
The Scarborough sightings illustrate how a changing ocean can bring both wonder and risk to the same shoreline and underscore the growing importance of early-warning systems for coastal towns.
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